In Memory Of My Sister

This post is in memory of my younger sister Lindsey Rochelle Nelson. There is not a day that passes that I don't think of her and on this day it is especially hard. I miss her so much words can't even desribe it. I always wonder what it would be like if she was still here with us. I know she is in a better place but I still think about the what if's or why. We are 5 years apart in age(she just turned 14 and I was almost 19) and we were just starting to become even closer and have more things in common. Sometimes I get a little jealous when I see other friends and family with their siblings b/c I don't have that any more...but I am happy for them that they are able to enjoy their sisters and/or brothers. Enjoy their presence and tell them that you love them today!!! We never know when they will leave us for heaven. I never knew that night before the accident would be my last time to speak to my sister. She was on her way to the 4-H fairgrounds to show her rabbits....where now we have a sign in memory of her. I love you Lindsey and I just wanted to let everyone know that I have a sister and to keep her in your memory!! Someday we will meet again!

What have we been up to?

So it has been a little over a week since my last post and I think I am due. I was just going to update on what we have been up to. Last week was Jarod's last week to help coach a little league team and I think they finished in third place. He always has so much fun with the kids and would rather do that then play softball. And since he is getting "older" his ankles seem to give out on him so easily. Which is pretty frustrating at times for him b/c he loves his sports. But coaching is rewarding for him and the kids seem to LOVE him! He is always a hit around kids...I feel so boring to them when I am with Jarod. haha. Talking about sports. Jarod and I have played tennis a couple evenings at the school. This is something we enjoy doing together and it is a good exercise! We never played in high school but have grown to love the sport together.

Last week we also stopped by Jarod's old house on the highway to see how the couple that bought the house have been doing. It was nice talking to them and they are such a nice couple. They even have another little one on the way!! Going back to a home you spent so much time at brings back so many GREAT memories:) And I love to hear what they are doing to the house and the changes that occur each year. I am just glad they are enjoying living there!

Then this past week-end we went to Ellis Park. Jarod didn't know if he wanted to go at first and at the last minute we decided to go. I am glad we did and we both have always wanted to go to a hourse race to see what it was like. I mostly wanted to go this past week-end b/c I heard they were having camel and ostrich races. How funny would that be?! Admission is free and they have picnic tables, bleachers, and you can even bring a blankets to sit on in the grass. It was packed but there was still a lot of room. We met up with Keith and Jessica for a little bit which was nice to see them. This place is a great place to hang out with friends and family to relax and have fun! We watched some horse races and the camel race but didn't want to wait for the ostrich race...we were hungry and wanting to eat at Texas Roadhouse (yum!). The camel race was hilarious though....they are not meant for racing. haha. On the way home we stoppped by my parents to visit with them and then came back home. It was a great day!! On sunday we ate at Jarod's aunt for lunch since some of his family is here from Florida. It amazes me how much kids change in a year's time. His cousins look so much older and are taller! It was great seeing them and hopefully we will see them tonight or tomorrow before they head back down to Florida. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer!! Even though it has been a weird summer.... 70 degrees and rain:(

Outside Ellis Park

The bell dings and this is what the horse comes out of

Look at them go!

The camels warming up;)

Now there is some speed!

Two Years And Counting!

July 7 was our two year anniversary! I am so happy to have such an amazing husband at my side. I would not know what to do without Jarod b/c he completes me so well. I know we are going to have many more great memories and years to come. And July 17 we will be together for eight years! Man we are getting old:( Here are some pictures from the years we have been together. Most are from when we first met.

One of the first times together. Jarod was a goof ball then and still is:)

We look so young!

This has always been a favorite of mine.

We loved each other so much. haha

First trip to Florida!

The night we got engaged!!!!

The big day!

I love you sweetie!!!!

Show Us Where You Live Fridays- A day late

Show Us Where You Live Fridays: Yards





This friday (saturday for me) yards is the showcase!! I love our yard and I think I said that in my last post too. Well I uploaded the pictures this morning so all of you could see the yard from the front and back. The first picture is compliments of my hubby:) I took a picture of the yard first but he said he couldn't see his stripes in the yard. haha. So he took this picture and you can defenitely see the stripes. He is proud of his striper on his mower that he and his dad made.

Come on in!

My new summer flowers. I love the brighter colors this summer!

A view of the backyard. Can you see the stripes. Jarod took this one also. haha

The back patio. I LOVE to sit out here b/c it is so relaxing.

Another angle. The door in this picture enters the bedroom and the door in the upper picture enters the family room/kitchen.

Looking out at the yard and yard building (or whatever we call it) from the patio. It doesn't look very big but we have our mower, 4-wheeler and rhino stored in there! AND we still have a small room on the other half.

Looking over to the neighbors. This tree line is ours and is the property line on this side of the house. It gives us a little privacy and the rabbits love it.

Some flowers I had to take a picture of.

And some more! I love these flowers b/c they do so great all summer long. They are getting so full with tons of flowers!!

And to top it off. Khloe was watching me the whole time I was taking pictures. I just had to take a picture of her too!!! I think she looks kinda old in this picture though.

Hope you enjoyed a little virtual walk around the house! It's July Fourth and we have a busy day ahead of us. Cook-outs, games, friends/family, some fruity drinks (yum) and Fireworks! Can't wait! I hope everyone else has a great Fourth of July. Too bad rain is in the forecast:(

Show Us Where You Live

Show Us Where You Live Fridays: Master Bedroom

Today you can take a tour of our Master Bedroom! You should be very excited!? haha. I have been slaking on this friday home tour and thought I better post today. I hope I remember next friday because it is a tour of yards....and I love our backyard! I work next friday so it may be saturday. It will have LOTS of pictures though.
The picture below is looking into our bedroom from the patio. I know the bed is huge but we love it!! I do have a couple things I want to change in the room. I will put a number next to the "to do" projects. The first (1) is put a canopy over the bed. I have seen beds like ours with it and I love them! Oh, I don't think you can read the picture above the bed but it says "always kiss me goodnight". So true. I always have to get a good night kiss from hunny!!

Another angle looking into the hall. The master bathrooom is on the right when you go out of the bedroom. (2) If we could just put a door where the stars are it would be much better. It's just the process of putting a whole in the wall for a door....not a fun job.

Looking towards the patio and double closets. Double closets are great. When Jarod throws his clothes around I don't have to worry about it:) (3) I also want to make some curtains for the door that have some color and are fun. The blinds we have now work great but are the same color as the wall. Three things for the "to do" list is not to bad you think??! Any ideas for those projects?

Hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a great week-end and drink plenty of water!!! It is going to be buring up once again this week-end.

Showers

It's that time of year again. Bridal and baby showers!! A few more bridal showers than baby showers though. This past sunday my cousin (Janell) and a good friend (Audrey) both had bridal showers. I have never been to two in one day and it sure did fill up my day. I left the house at 9:30 and didn't get home until 4:30. One of the bridal showers was in Celestine and the other was in Plainville. A lot of driving but it was worth it! I was just glad that it was my week-end off and they were not at the same time. I had a great time at the bridal showers and I was able to see people I don't see that often. I have some pictures from Audrey Stoll's bridal shower that some of us classmates took together. The pictures from Janell's didn't turn out so good...bad lighting:( Almost all of my friends from high school are married now. Tiffany is the only one left. We always give her a hard time! But I still remember back in the day she said, she would probably be the last one to get married.

Me and the lucky girl getting married soon!!

Amy and Whitney

Sis and her sweet girl Kirra

Me and Tiffany

The girls from high school

To sum up the rest of the week. Well, monday and tuesday I had to work. Wednesday Jarod got the day off work so we stayed at the house all morning, grilled out hamburgers (yum) and then went to my mom and dad's. We didn't do much just talked and trimmed up some trees. Yesterday I went to Evansville to take back a pair of shoes I got for work. One of the shoes was too small. Just one! One of my feet is a little bigger. Only about 1/4 inch...not much at all. Weird I know and you probably didn't care to know. I usually don't have a problem getting shoes and this is the first time I had to take back a pair of shoes. Now I can finally wear my new shoes tomorrow! I also took back some extra flowers I had from my aunt's floral arrangement I made. And I got a little something for our house. I found some summer flowers to put in the planters at our front door. The other flowers were from spring and I never did change them out. I usually rotate the flowers with the four seasons. I can't wait to put the new flowers in today! Then today I pulled weeds and cut my hair FINALLY. Just a trim b/c I want to keep my hair long. It had been three months since my last cut and I was due. My hair feels soo much better! Well....hope everyone has a great week-end!

What have I done

Today I was making a gift for a bridal shower I am going to this weekend and was thinking about all the things I have made in our house. I would have to admit this is one my hobbies that I absolutely love doing!!! I love making things and could do it all day if I wanted:) Yesterday was the first time someone asked me to make them a floral arrangement. Yay! I met up with my parents and we made it a visit and I was able to make my aunt the floral arrangement she wanted. I was a little nervous b/c I did't know if she would like it. But she said she loved it! All of us had a great time and we got to catch up on things. Today I thought I should take some pics around the house and share them with all of you. Hope you enjoy!

The finished product for my aunt

For the bridal shower sunday- I hope she likes it

My aunt Shirley and mom

I love this pic! I just love laughter!